From: TARA LARSON
To: Lemos, June
Subject: Ad Hoc Letter - town Name Change
Date: Friday, January 21, 2022 3:35:17 PM
18 January 2022
Dear Fort Bragg City Council Members:
I was selected to be a member of the Ad Hoc Committee for discussion of the town name, Fort Bragg. I chose to be part of this committee because this community means the world to me. As a sixth generation Fort Bragg resident, I felt I could bring my voice to a collection of voices and discuss the name of our town, the importance of the name, and why the name means so much to so many, as well as to listen to the voices of those who felt our town needed to change the name. This was not the case, as I felt my voice was rarely heard or awknowledged.
I stayed for many months and listened, tried to share, and tried to be as optimistic as possible about the commission; however, it felt that there was an agenda to change the name from day one, and anyone who did not agree with this was not valued, or listened to. It was also very frustrating that we had an appointed commission and then after the first few meetings, two more members were appointed because they fit the agenda for a name change. In the beginning, the meetings didn’t even start with discourse about the name Fort Bragg, but more about racism. We had a vote in which we mentioned a possible rededication of the town name, as to get away from any connection to Braxton Bragg. When the discussion started, our city appointed official, Mrs. Morsell-Haye stated, “A rededication is too easy, and I believe we need to talk about racial dynamics and equity right out of the gates” This is, in fact, where many conversations led. I’m not saying this isn’t an important topic to address, but the topic at hand, the town name, seemed to disappear with too many different subjects and issues being addressed. Two more commission members were also brought in after our initial meetings because they
As the months went by and the meetings began to occur twice per month, I found myself questioning what I was spending my time on, and I felt the need to step away.
I did not know it would go on as long as it did, and I was needed as a coach at the high school. I also felt that the commission was constantly going in circles, and many of us were not being heard. Not only were some of us not listened to, but the community as a whole was ignored. We had surveys, petitions, and letters from many people in the community. A majority of these citizens were strongly against changing the name of our town. This is what the community tried to say, but many on the commission didn’t seem to value the commentary of the Fort Bragg citizens.
I love our community, and I love our people, all of them! This town has deep roots and a name that most of us have grown to love. The name symbolizes the beautiful coastal town, not the man who nobody knows or cares about. Not to mention the town was named before the Civil War.
After removing myself from the commission, my opinion is that the Fort Bragg City Council should not make any decisions to force the community of Fort Bragg to vote on this issue. If those who are calling for a name change want to vote on it, it is up to them to follow the process, pay the fees, and place it on the ballot.
Sincerely,
Tara Larson
Fort Bragg, California
From: Susan Sisk
To: Lemos, June
Subject: Name Change and Mill Site
Date: Monday, January 24, 2022 10:11:34 AM
I want to put my comments into the record please.
Firstly, I am in favor of a new name for our town. The more I learn about the man our town is named after the more disgusted I become. Just a little bit of self education has shown me we have to turn away from the name Ft Bragg. Braxton Bragg was a slave holder, traitor and failed General. The word Fort is indicative of the suppression of the indigenous peoples who initially lived here in peace. We need to change the name.
Secondly, I will support the City Council doing everything in it's power to undermine the horrible and questionably legal "takeover" by Mendocino Railway of the most beautiful Coast line of Noyo Headlands. Why cannot our City grab the property back by Eminent Domain? The Skunk is barely a railroad, more an amusement ride. And the fact that they have some kind of "public utility" designation is a further joke. Also alarming is the talk of a "gasification" plant for plastic garbage...abominable.
The City Council needs to do it's duty.
Thank you.
Susan Sisk
644B West St
[email protected]
From: Sarita Colberg
To: Lemos, June
Subject: Fort Bragg Citizens Commission Presentation
Date: Monday, January 24, 2022 10:55:54 AM
To our City Council,
I am writing in regard to the Fort Bragg Citizens Commission presentation. As a long time citizen of Fort Bragg and a participant in the survey in regarding the potential name change I ask that you please put this idea to rest once and for all. The community had the opportunity to vote in a poll which came out nearly 60% opposed to the name change and the Commission, while they came out with a 60% vote for the name change, still did not recommend to do so.
The Commission did come out with a dialogue of respect for everyone's unique history and experience including the experience of our ancestors. The Commission also set forth great goals, "In spite of our differences, when we delved into the issues around the name change question, we found broad support within the Commission for some basic goals: ● Demonstrate the City’s commitment to being inclusive and welcoming to all people ● Increase knowledge and understanding about Indigenous culture and local history ● Clarify that we do not in any way associate ourselves with the confederate legacy ● Optimize our future as an attractive and prosperous place to live and visit", to which the changing of our City's name does no respect. It is a known fact that history is often unpleasant and that knowing and respecting the suffering of others is essential to the inclusion of all and for the learning and growing into a better society; the changing of a name does nothing to support these goals and, in fact, disrespects them by attempting to pretend this negative history never existed.
It is time to practice what we preach; it is time to be good humans and neighbors and quit rehashing the possibility of changing a name which existed prior to the Civil War and who's namesake had noting to do with our local issues. It is time to teach and to quit with dialog which is divisive.
We are thriving as a tourist destination and we can add history and learning of all of our history to continue growing attractions to our wonderful city. Fort Bragg has much to offer currently and is in a position to stop the division and fighting and work for the good of our community and the "brand" already widely known.
Thank you,
Sarita Colberg
Sean Patrick
Fort Bragg, CA 95437